Jessica will be sharing a new solo inspired by Reading, PA at the Dance on the Streets Dance & Music Fest on Saturday. She’ll be performing at 6pm – but there’s a lot happening throughout the day!

“You are cordially invited to the Dance On The Street Music and Art Fest aka D.O.T.S. Fest. The City of Reading Signature event on September 15, 2018 Reading PA. RIZE and community partners are coming together for our 5th year in celebration of Afro-Latino Heritage Month . Our host for this years event is the Grill then Chill Lounge located at 400 Woodward St, Reading, PA 19601.

RIZE is a youth arts non-profit organization that fosters the arts to create awareness of social adversity and youth mental health. The primary goal for this event is to support the RIZE Programs and to eliminate the social adversity by uniting our cultures as one through performing arts as well as promoting Dance as a fitness tool to promote a healthy lifestyle. Our vision and goal is to give our community the avenue to express themselves artistically, and to provide positive reinforcement to the community at-large. An opportunity for tourism into the city and increase business revenue. Our mission is to unite our culturally diverse communities by providing a positive venue where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can come together to celebrate in dance and the arts.”

The #iCommit Campaign’s Mindfulness Youth Series will inspire and educate youth to exercise their inherent humanitarian leadership skills through a workshop on enhancing benefits of mindfulness techniques. Youth from every walk of life can creatively apply its lessons to make an immediate, positive and powerful impact in school, at home, and in their community.

More about RIZE:
At RIZE we encourage youth to express themselves through art, explore their world, engage in their communities, and make smart choices about their future. We also want to give the youth the knowledge and motivation necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to engage their community in doing the same.

Contemporary Dance Movement Practice (for Adults) explores principles of somatics, energetic awareness, and performance practice with contemporary concert dance foundations and techniques. Participants will be challenged to find freedom within structure, story-tell with their movement, create connections between dance and “everyday life,” and (re)discover joy in their dancing body. Previous experience witha movement practice (yoga, Pilates, martial arts, or other form of dance) is highly suggested, but not necessary; an open heart and mind is always welcome and appreciated.

Proceeds from “Little Things” will be donated to Mary’s Shelter in Reading, PA.

The mission of Mary’s Shelter: “Mary’s Shelter provides residential and non-residential services for pregnant women and women with newborns who are in need of a supportive environment because of a lack of suitable housing or favorable family relationships. While caring for women in need, Mary’s Shelter prepares mothers with newborns for independent living and a vision of hope for the future.”

AND – Mary’s Shelter is currently in a Match Campaign. So, your financial support and celebration will go further!

AND… Mary’s Shelter also has aWish List for babies and moms, so we’ll have a “Gift Box” at the door, as well.

Suggested donation or pay what you want – cash only at the door (or checks made payable to “Mary’s Shelter” with “Little Things” in the memo line) $10. Reserve your spot by emailing Jessica@JCWKDanceLab.org

“Little Things” explores the vast and dynamic elements that constitute the relationship between mother and child. Through movement, sound, and poetry, six artists peel back layers of their personal maternal stories.

Tickets: $10 suggested or pay what you can. Proceeds will be donated to Mary’s Shelter – an organization in Reading, PA that supports pregnant women and new mothers who are “in need of a supportive environment because of lack of suitable housing or favorable family relationships”. Seating is limited. To reserve your seats, email Jessica@JCWKDanceLab.org.

Please plan extra time for parking and traffic. The performances will start promptly and late audience members won’t be admitted.

What: Challenge your creative juices while improving physical strength, flexibility, and stamina in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Dance for Wellness invites participants to move into greater joy, connection, and awareness through dance. Research shows that dancing is an excellent activity for the body and the brain. No previous dance experience is necessary.